NFC playoff picture: how Vikings win over Dolphins impacts the Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles still have playoff hopes, but after losing the right to control their own destiny, the odds get slimmer with each passing moment. The Eagles are in LA to battle the Rams on Sunday night football, but a Minnesota Vikings win over the Dolphins just reduced the percentages drastically.

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The Vikings, who a week ago looked headed for a collapse down the stretch, are now the clear favorites to snag that final wild card and playoff spot.

Before Sunday’s games started, the Eagles had a 17 percent chance to make the postseason according to FiveThirtyEight. Those percentages dwindled with the Vikings win, and a loss to the Rams would drop their odds even less. A Panthers upset win over the Saints on Monday night football would make things all but obsolete.

Hereabouts’s a look at the NFC playoff picture, as the afternoon games are just getting started.

1. New Orleans Saints (11-2) — First-round bye

2. Los Angeles Rams (11-2) — First-round bye

3. Chicago Bears (10-4)

4. Seattle Seahawks (8-5)

5. Dallas Cowboys (8-6)

6. Minnesota Vikings (7-6-1)

First Six Out:

7. Carolina Panthers (6-7)

8. Eagles (6-7)

9. Washington Redskins (7-7)

10. Green Bay Packers (5-8-1)

11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-9)

12. New York Giants (5-9)

Here is a look at the remaining schedule for each team

Seahawks (8-5) — 49ers, Chiefs, Cardinals

Vikings (7-6-1) — Lions, Bears

Eagles (6-7) — Rams, Texans, Washington

Panthers (6-7) — Saints, Falcons, Saints

Right now for the Eagles and their fans, the Panthers would need to go 1-2 down the stretch, starting with a loss to the Saints on Monday night. The Birds now need the Vikings to lose their final two games, against the Lions and the Bears. Eagles fans have to hope that the Bears still have something to play for in that Finale. The Eagles need the Redskins to split their final two games, including a loss in the finale against Philadelphia. If the Eagles can get wins over the Texans, Redskins, and Rams, the 8-8 Eagles would be playoff bound.